bill clinton. businessman ross perot entered the race as an independent candidate and the three major parties -- the two major party agreed to allow him to enter the debate. this is an hour and 40 minutes. >> here now is mr. ross perot. >> good to see you. thank you. how are you? thank you. >> now, governor clinton. [applause] and now, president bush. [applause] >> and about 30 seconds, we will be going on the air. good evening, and welcome to the first of 3 debates among the major candidates for president of the united states, sponsored by the commission on presidential debates. the candidates are: independent candidate ross perot, governor bill clinton, the democratic nominee, and president george bush, the republican nominee. i am jim lehrer of the macneil- lehrer news hour on pbs, and i will be the moderator for this 90-minute event, which is taking place before an audience in the athletic complex on the campus of washington university in st. louis, missouri. three journalists will be asking qu